Psychiatrist claims pregnant Smith abandoned treatment

By Anonymous

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Dr. Nathalie Maullin testified in a Los Angeles court on Monday (19Oct09) as part of a preliminary hearing to determine whether Smith's longtime companion Howard K. Stern should stand trial for conspiring to provide her with drugs.

Stern is charged along with the actress/model's doctors Khristine Eroshevich and Sandeep Kapoor. All three have pleaded not guilty.

Maullin claims Smith was admitted to the city's Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in April 2006 for a week-long stay when she was fifteen weeks pregnant with daughter Dannielynn.

The medic claims Smith was addicted to painkillers and she devised a treatment program in a bid to wean the star off drugs.

But Dr. Maullin insists Smith was uncooperative and quit the program, aimed at reducing her use of methadone and Xanax, just days after going "cold turkey".

The psychiatrist told the court, "She wouldn't engage. She didn't make eye contact. She was very hostile. It was, 'Give me my medications and leave me alone.'"

The news comes as it was revealed the District Attorney's office is considering removing prosecutor Sarah Slice from the case after she was accused of pressuring Smith's former lover Larry Birkhead when he gave evidence.

Sandi Gibbons, a representative for the District Attorney's office, says: "The matter is being discussed, and no decision has been made as to her further role in this case."